Eyewear and lenses with deflection attenuation mechanisms

Abstract

Eyewear, lenses, and methods of forming lenses are disclosed. In an example eyewear, first and second temples are coupled to a lens. The lens includes a viewing portion, a mounting portion configured to be coupled to at least one of the first and second temples, a connecting portion connecting the mounting portion to the viewing portion of the lens. The lens further includes an elongated slot that defines at least in part the mounting portion and the connecting portion. The mounting portion and connecting portion are configured to effectively isolate the viewing portion from deflection of the mounting portion.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. Eyewear comprising:
 a lens including a mounting portion defined at least in part by a recess adjacent to the mounting portion, the lens further including a viewing portion, wherein the mounting portion is at least partially isolated from the viewing portion by the recess, the recess including a width and further including a length which is at least four times greater than the width, wherein the mounting portion is opposite the width of the recess from the viewing portion; and 
 a frame mounted to the lens by engaging the mounting portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is removably mounted to the lens. 
     
     
       3. The eyewear of  claim 2 , wherein the frame includes a rotatable fastening mechanism for removably mounting the frame to the lens. 
     
     
       4. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is mounted to a top portion of the lens. 
     
     
       5. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes first and second temples, each temple being mounted to a respective side portion of the lens. 
     
     
       6. The eyewear of  claim 5 , wherein the lens includes a pair of recesses on opposing sides of attachment ends of the first and second temples. 
     
     
       7. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the lens includes two lenses, and wherein each of the first and second temples are mounted to respective ones of the lenses. 
     
     
       8. The eyewear of  claim 1  further comprising a removable nose piece. 
     
     
       9. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is polarized or coated. 
     
     
       10. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to receive an edge of the lens, and wherein the recess is located adjacent the edge and substantially parallel to the edge. 
     
     
       11. The eyewear of  claim 1 , wherein the recess defines a mounting portion of the lens between the recess and an edge of the lens, and wherein the lens is mounted to the frame at the mounting portion. 
     
     
       12. A lens comprising:
 a pane of transparent material; and 
 an elongated recess formed between a mounting portion and a viewing portion of the lens, the mounting portion being configured for removably mounting the lens to a frame, wherein the elongated recess is configured to isolate the viewing portion from deflection when the mounting portion is deflected. 
 
     
     
       13. The lens of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated recess is a first open-ended slot, the lens including a second open-ended slot adjacent the first open-ended slot, the first and second open-ended slots being disposed on opposite sides of the mounting portion. 
     
     
       14. The lens of  claim 13 , wherein an aspect ratio of the first open-ended slot is the same as an aspect ratio of the second open-ended slot. 
     
     
       15. The lens of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second open-ended slots are angled relative to one another. 
     
     
       16. Protective eyewear, comprising:
 first and second temples; and 
 a lens coupled to the first and second temples, the lens including:
 a viewing portion; 
 a mounting portion configured to be coupled to at least one of the first and second temples; 
 a connecting portion connecting the mounting portion to the viewing portion of the lens; and 
 an elongated slot having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the elongated slot defining at least in part the mounting portion and the connecting portion, wherein the elongated slot is configured to effectively isolate the viewing portion from deflection of the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is on an opposite side of the width of the elongated slot from the viewing portion. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The protective eyewear of  claim 16 , further comprising a frame coupled to the first and second temples and coupled to the lens, wherein the first and second temples are coupled to the lens through the frame. 
     
     
       18. The protective eyewear of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second temples have respective attachment portions, each coupled directly to the lens. 
     
     
       19. The protective eyewear of  claim 16 , wherein the length and the width of the elongated slot have an aspect ratio of 4:1 or greater. 
     
     
       20. The protective eyewear of  claim 16 , wherein the elongated slot and connecting portion are configured to allow the mounting portion to be biased by the outward force without transferring the deflection forces to the viewing portion. 
     
     
       21. A method of forming a lens comprising:
 shaping a lens to define a curvature or a contour of the lens; and 
 forming a recess between a mounting portion and a viewing portion of the lens, the recess including a length and a width with an aspect ratio of 4:1 or greater, the mounting portion opposite the width of the recess from the viewing portion. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein said forming the recess is performed during said shaping of the lens. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21 , wherein said forming the recess includes cutting the recess in the lens after said shaping of the lens.